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What Causes Intense Pain In Lower Calf Radiating Till Thighs?

Posted on Fri, 11 Jul 2014

Question: Have been troubled with intense pain in lower calf for past 4 days which radiates till thigh sometimes. Have done doppler study which has come out clean, met orthopedic and he told it could be nerve pain which has come from my back (have had lower back problem for more than a year, )he had prescribed ultracet(0-1-1) and nurokind (0-0-1). Its been 2 days but not much relief. I can barely walk, the pain is unbearable. any suggestions

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pain could be related to pinched nerve in back.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms. These could be related to a pinched nerve in the lower back (lumbar) region. The pain may radiate between lower back, buttocks, thigh, calf and foot. This pain may increase on walking or coughing.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by doing an MRI scan of the lumbo-sacral spine.

For pain relief, medications such as pregabalin or gabapentin capsules may be useful.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 minutes later)

The orthopedic also said the same thing but his prescriptions are not working. the capsules you have mentioned ,when should i take and for how long (dosage instruction) Hope it will relieve the pain and i can start walking again, have been confined to bed for 4 days now

Also is this sciatica nerve related ?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sciatica is nerve related.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with more information.

If you were my patient, I would have started pregabalin capsules at a dose of 75 mg OR gabapentin 300 mg, two times daily after breakfast and dinner.

Sciatica is nerved related. As I mentioned earlier, it is due to nerve compression in lower back due to slipped disc.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (13 hours later)

If i were your patient how long would you want me to take pregabalin or gebapentin. Once this is treated what do you suggest i do for my back pain? I get it once in a while say every 2-3 months

Thanks in advance

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Initially for six weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I would use the medications for about six weeks. I would reassess you after that, and if needed, I would prescribe it again for six more weeks. Most people do not require medications for more than three months.

In addition, you would require physiotherapy and back extension exercises for getting long term relief.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar